Worlds apart: a socio-material exploration of mHealth in rural areas of developing countries. Issue 8 (17th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eze, Emmanuel; Gleasure, Rob; Heavin, Ciara
• Is Part Of: Information technology & people. Volume 35:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2022-01-17
• Subjects: Healthcare -- Developing countries -- Mobile technology -- Socio-materiality -- Practice -- mHealth -- Rural healthcare workers; Information technology -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Human-computer interaction -- Periodicals; 004
• DOI: 10.1108/ITP-04-2020-0228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3845

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The implementation of mobile health (mHealth) in developing countries seems to be stuck in a pattern of successive pilot studies that struggle for mainstream implementation. This study addresses the research question: what existing health-related structures, properties and practices are presented by rural areas of developing countries that might inhibit the implementation of mHealth initiatives? Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted using a socio-material approach, based on an exploratory case study in West Africa. Interviews and participant observation were used to gather data. A thematic analysis identified important social and material agencies, practices and imbrications which may limit the effectiveness of mHealth apps in the region. Findings: Findings show that, while urban healthcare is highly structured, best practice-led, rural healthcare relies on peer-based knowledge sharing, and community support. This has implications for the enacted materiality of mobile technologies. While urban actors see mHealth as a tool for automation and the enforcement of responsible healthcare best practice, rural actors see mHealth as a tool for greater interconnectivity and independent, decentralised care. Research limitations/implications: This study has two significant limitations. First, the study focussed on a region where technology-enabled guideline-driven treatment is the main mHealth concern. Second, consistent with the exploratory nature of this study, the qualitative methodology and the single-case design, the study makes no claim to statistical generalisability. Originality/value: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to adopt a socio-material view that considers existing structures and practices that may influence the widespread adoption and assimilation of a new mHealth app. This helps identify contextual challenges that are limiting the potential of mHealth to improve outcomes in rural areas of developing countries.